A life in pictures
Glen Hansard, one of Ireland's greatest musicians, has passed away at the age of 56.
Few Irish musicians have left as lasting an impression on the country’s music scene as Glen Hansard.
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Across more than three decades, the Dublin-born singer-songwriter built a reputation for his raw, heartfelt songwriting, powerful live performances and unwavering passion for music.
1992
The Frames - Glen Hansard, 1992. Pic: Shutterstock
Glen first came to prominence as the frontman of The Frames, the band he founded in Dublin in 1990.
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While the group enjoyed a loyal following in Ireland for many years, their success eventually spread internationally, with acclaimed albums including Dance the Devil, Burn the Maps and The Cost helping to cement their reputation as one of Ireland’s finest rock bands.
Many will also remember Glen from his acting debut in the 1991 cult classic The Commitments, in which he played guitarist Outspan Foster.
The Commitments, Felim Gormley, Johnny Murphy, Kenneth McCluskey, Michael Aherne, Dave Finnegan, Bronagh Gallagher, Glen Hansard, Andrew Strong, Maria Doyle, Angeline Ball. Pic: Shutterstock
1993
The Frames group portrait, London, United Kingdom, 1993. Pic: Getty Images
2000
Photo of Glen HANSARD. Pic: Getty Images
2001
Irish rock band The Frames live at the Borderline, London, 2001. Featuring Glen Hansard. Pic: Getty Images
2003
Singers Mark Geary (L) and Glen Hansard attend the Lisoonvarna 2003 festival held at RDS Dublin July 24, 2003 in Dublin, Ireland. Pic: Getty Images
2005
Glen Hansard of The Frames performs as part of the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park. Pic: Getty Images
2006
Photo of Glen HANSARD and FRAMES. Pic: Getty Images
2007
Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard during 2007 Sundance Film Festival - "Once" Premiere at Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah, United States. Pic: WireImage
'Once', Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova. Pic: Shutterstock
It was the 2007 independent film Once that transformed him into a household name around the world. Starring alongside Czech musician Markéta Irglová, Glen not only starred in the film but also co-wrote its soundtrack.
Their song Falling Slowly won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, while the film itself became an international phenomenon before later being adapted into a hugely successful Broadway and West End musical.
2008
Musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova poses in the press room during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008. Pic: FilmMagic
2009
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON, Musical guest Glen Hansard. Pic: Getty Images
2010
"Trouble in Candyland", Dax Shepard as Crosby Braverman, Glen Hansard as Himself, Peter Krause as Adam Braverman, Mae Whitman as Amber Holt. Pic: Getty Images
2011
Patti Smith, Jakob Dylan, Rich Pagano and Glen Hansard at rehearsals for The Music of Neil Young at Carnegie Hall. Pic: WireImage
2012
Director Peter Hedges, Glen Hansard and Oprah Winfrey attended a special screening of Walt Disney Pictures' new film 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' hosted by producer Scott Sanders at the Crosby Street Hotel on June 27, 2012. Pic: Getty Images
2013
Glen Hansard performs on stage with Calexico for Holiday Cheer For FUV 2013 at Beacon Theatre. Pic: Getty Images
2014
Glen Hansard braves the ran with fans during his set at Lollapalooza 2014 at Grant Park. Pic: WireImage
2015
Glen Hansard performs at The Cannery. Pic: Getty Images
2016
Singer/Songwriter Glen Hansard and Tamara Weber remember David Bowie with other fans who gathered and created a memorial outside his apartment in SoHo. Pic: WireImage
2017
Honorees Martin Short, Caitriona Balfe, Ruth Negga, Zachary Quinto, Glen Hansard and director J.J. Abrams attend the 12th Annual US-Ireland Alliance's Oscar Wilde Awards event at Bad Robot. Pic: Getty Images
2018
LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS, Musical guest Glen Hansard (3rd from L) with band members (l-r) Joseph Doyle, Max Weinberg, Curtis Fowlkes, Ronan Dooney, Michael Buckley and Rob Bochnik on January 18, 2018. Pic: Getty Images
2019
Irish musician Glen Hansard, portrait backstage at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome, Italy, 12th November 2019. Pic: Getty Images
Imelda May performing with Glen Hansard during the annual Christmas Eve busk in aid of the Dublin Simon Community outside the Gaiety Theater in Dublin. Pic: Getty Images
2021
Andrew Watt, Pino Palladino, Eddie Vedder, Chad Smith, Glen Hansard and Josh Klinghoffer performs onstage during the 2021 Ohana Music Festival. Pic: FilmMagic
2022
Glen Hansard and Chad Smith perform onstage at YouTube Theater on February 25, 2022. Pic: Getty Images
2023
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Glen Hansard performs live on stage at Doheny State Beach. Pic: WireImage
2024
Josh Ritter, Glen Hansard and Cait O'Riordan lead the cast in the finale as part of "A St. Paddy's Celebration of Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan" at Carnegie Hall. Pic: Getty Images
2025
Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard of The Swell Season perform during the 2025 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park. Pic: Getty Images
2026
Irish singer Glen Hansard performs live on stage during a concert at the Columbiahalle. Pic: Getty Images
Away from the screen, Glen enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing critically acclaimed albums including Rhythm and Repose, Didn’t He Ramble, This Wild Willing and All That Was East Is West of Me Now.
Songs such as Bird of Sorrow, Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting, Winning Streak and High Hope showcased his distinctive blend of folk, rock and deeply personal storytelling.
Photo of Glen HANSARD and FRAMES. Pic: Getty Images
He collaborated with some of the biggest names in music throughout his career, including Bono, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen and Damien Rice, while remaining fiercely proud of his Dublin roots.
Whether busking on Grafton Street, performing on some of the world’s biggest stages or writing songs that resonated with audiences across generations, Glen carved out a career unlike any other.
Bono and Glen Hansard at the Late Late Show Busk for Simon in aid of the Simon Community in 2020. Pic: Andres Poveda
His contribution to Irish music, film and songwriting has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire artists and fans alike.
See more in our gallery below:
Once, Glen Hansard. Pic: Shutterstock
Once, Glen Hansard. Pic: Shutterstock
Imelda May performing with Glen Hansard during the annual Christmas Eve busk in aid of the Dublin Simon Community outside the Gaiety Theater in Dublin. Hundreds attended the annual busking concert hoping to see the U2 front man Bono. Pic: Getty Images
Singer/Songwriter Glen Hansard and Tamara Weber remember David Bowie with other fans who gathered and created a memorial outside his apartment in SoHo. Pic: WireImage
Glen Hansard performs on Day 2 of the Ohana Festival at the Doheny Beach State Park. Pic: Shutterstock
Glen Hansard Sings at Leinster House, Glen Hansard. Pic: VIPIRELAND.com
Glen Hansard performing at a Homeless protest concert outside the Dail. Pic: Fran Veale
FILM: The Swell Season (2011), with musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova. Pic: Supplied
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Glen Hansard. Pic: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Glen Hansard and Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty
